Yakuza Sequel Announced

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Sega moves south for the sequel to its hit gangster game.

By IGN Staff

Although we're just about to get Sega's Yakuza, Japan has spent over a year with the title under its original name of Ryu Ga Gotoku. With a pricey graphics engine already in place, just about everyone was expecting a sequel at some point, and that's just what we're getting. The latest issue of Famitsu provides first details on Ryu Ga Gotoku 2, which is in development for the PS2.

Kazuma Kiryu returns as the main character in the sequel. Set a year after the events of the original, Yakuza 2 expands Sega's recreation of Japan's underground to the city to the south, Osaka. The game takes place both in the original's Tokyo-based Kamurocho and in a similar seedy district in Osaka. The Osaka location is said to be similar in size to the well-sized Kamurocho.

A few new characters have been announced for the title. The game's heroine is Kaoru Sayama, a police officer who's known as the Yakuza Hunter. Her purpose in making contact with Kazuma is currently unknown. Kazuma will also meet up with an Osaka rival, Ryuji Koda, known as the Dragon of the Kansai area.

The sequel begins with an assassination which prompts Kazuma to head south. We'll spare you the details, since Yakuza has yet to be released stateside. A number of characters from the original will be returning, although we'll also keep quiet on this area for now.

In addition to returning characters, the original's staff has also returned to action. Toshihiro Nagoshi once again serves as general producer. Seishu Hase is overseeing the title's scenario. Susumu Terajima and Hiroshi Tachi return as voice actors for the Japanese version.

Speaking with Famitsu, Nagoshi commented on some of his goals with Yakuza 2. In addition to providing a deeper dramatic storyline over what was found in the original, the game also has some themes that weren't in the original, including an adult love story. The story focuses on a battle between Tokyo and Osaka.

All areas from the original are being improved. The cabaret club, which allowed you to interact with girls in a limited way in the original, now lets you actually go out on dates with girls once you've gotten tired of sitting around in the club. You can also manage your own cabaret club now, customizing the interior to your liking.

The number of sub quests/stories, which you encounter by speaking to people across town, has increased to above 100. Included is a quest where you actually become a host and have to do your best to please the ladies and earn the most cash in your cabaret club.

The original also had a number of mini games. Famitsu has details on golf and bowling mini games, which have been added to the sequel. There also seems to be a "game" of some form where you sit in your home and watch videos.

One of the best features of the original was its battle system. Sega is keeping some elements of this system the same while improving others. There aren't any changes to the character growth system, through which you build up Kazuma by assigning experience points to three parameters. However, Sega is adding more "heat action" moves to the title. Heat action moves are pulled off by filling up a special attack gauge, and result in a cinematic attack.

You can also now team up with allies for combo attacks. In one sequence, a restaurant employee gives Kazuma a bowl of ramen to use against his opponents. A bit more down to earth, one sequence features Kazuma and a friend beating up on an opponent together.

Perhaps the biggest addition to the battle system is the ability to direct your attacks in whatever direction you like. In the original, battles became difficult when you were surrounded by enemies. The sequel lets you select the direction of your next attack, allowing you to finish off an attack in one direction, then begin pounding an opponent behind you.

With all these updates to what is already one of the PS2's best games, Yakuza's sequel should be one to watch out for. The game is set for Japanese release on 12/7. Hopefully Sega will be a bit faster with the translation this time around.